August 2, 2012 11:14am EDTAugust 1, 2012 5:02pm EDTThe non-waiver trade deadline has passed, but don't be surprised to see some big names move before the end of August. As usual, the Cubs' Alfonso Soriano is near the top of the list. Who else could be dealt this month?

For all the buzz and rumors and hoopla that comes with the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, it’s actually not a hard deadline.

The actual drop-dead deadline is Aug. 31, although players must clear waivers before a deal can be made. That date is significant for another reason: Players must be on a team’s roster by that day to be eligible to play in the postseason.

And there are plenty of candidates to be August trade bait.

Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs

It seems like Soriano has been near the top of this list for a few years now. Ever since his eight-year, $136-million deal became an obvious bust, the Cubs not-so-secretly have wanted to move the left fielder. He is signed through 2014 at $18 million a season and since 2009, his 104 OPS-plus puts him barely above replacement level.

It looked like 2012 would be another dismal year for Soriano as he lacked power for more than a month, but since May 15 he has 19 home runs and has driven in 44 runs with a .930 OPS. He can add to a lineup if you look away from the money he’s making. The Cubs tried to include him in a Ryan Dempster deal before the non-waiver deadline, but no team would bite, and he’ll certainly clear waivers. The Cubs will have to swallow a good portion of Soriano’s remaining money to make something happen.

Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies

Lee would likely clear waivers because he is guaranteed $25 million a season for the next three after this year and he is 33 years old. The Phillies are in an unenviable spot with Lee because while they wouldn’t mind someone taking him off their hands because of the money owed, they also are not in full rebuilding mode and believe they can compete next season despite a dismal 2012. Lee probably won’t get moved, but he is an interesting case study for the Phillies’ future and aging, expensive pitchers.

Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox took the pulse of high payroll clubs just before the non-waiver deadline. When you look at the money Beckett makes – $31.5 million for the next two seasons including whatever the remainder for this year would be – along with his recent production (24-22 with a 4.17 ERA and 104 ERA-plus) it would not be a shock if team would put him on waivers.

Heath Bell, Miami Marlins

The winter shopping spree has already blown up on the Marlins; now they’d like to rid themselves of the regrettable three-year, $27 million contract they gave Bell. He has been a terrible closer this year and twice removed from the job, but Bell was a deserving All-Star just last season so it’s possible a team could see him as a useable back-end reliever.

Josh Johnson, Miami Marlins

The Marlins don’t have the same desire to move Johnson that they do with Bell, but they want to explore the market for Johnson some more since so many teams took interest before the July deadline. He has about $19 million remaining on his contract through next season and has ace potential, so someone will claim him. The Marlins will then have to decide what they want in return for him, if they haven’t already cemented that already.

Jeff Francoeur, Kansas City Royals

Because “Frenchy” is making $9.5 million for the rest of this season and next and having a bad year – his 74 OPS-plus is his lowest since 2008 – he will clear waivers. But because the Royals want to continue bringing in young blood, they’ll offer up Francoeur for a team looking for late veteran help.

Jed Lowrie, Houston Astros

Before his mid-July leg injury, Lowrie was one of the better shortstops in the National League, but the Astros are willing to sell off just about anything at this point. Lowrie can’t be a free agent until after the 2014 season and is making only $1.15 million this season, so even an arbitration raise would make him affordable.

Jason Giambi, Colorado Rockies

Giambi doesn’t provide the big name or numbers anymore, but he has a lot of experience and is cheap. He is hurt right now, but he’s the type of player who is usually dealt in August to help a contender off the bench.

Stephen Drew, Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks’ brass has publicly expressed concerns about Drew’s character and the fact that he can be a free agent after the season means the D-backs will still be willing to move him in August as they were in July. Drew hasn’t produced much since his return from an ankle injury, but if he gets hot soon, interest in him will go up.